Docking Station Pivot Mechanism for Vertical Space Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices, such as notebooks and tablets, face limitations in space and connectivity when used for extended periods, as they become smaller and thinner, lacking sufficient peripheral ports and a physical keyboard, necessitating the use of expansion devices like screens and keyboards, which can be cumbersome to connect and manage.
Innovation Solution
A docking station with a pivot mechanism that allows the portable device to rotate from a horizontal to a vertical position, incorporating an elastic component to facilitate easy conversion and maintain stability, while maintaining electrical connectivity through signal transmitting components like USB ports, enabling seamless operation with expansion devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the portable electronic device is used for extended periods, then the efficiency in use is improved, but the device becomes smaller and thinner resulting in insufficient peripheral ports and keyboard space
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station integrates multiple signal transmitting components including video output ports, audio ports, USB ports, and keyboard/mouse ports into a single device. This allows the portable electronic device to connect to multiple expansion devices simultaneously through one universal interface, resolving the limitation of insufficient peripheral ports while maintaining productivity improvements
2Adaptability or versatility
If the portable electronic device is connected to multiple expansion devices, then the functionality is improved, but the complexity of connection and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station merges multiple signal transmitting functions into a single integrated device. Instead of connecting to separate video adapters, audio devices, and USB hubs individually, the portable electronic device connects to one docking station that provides all these functions simultaneously, thereby improving functionality while reducing connection complexity
3Reliability
If the docking station occupies horizontal space, then the stability of operation is improved, but the available workspace is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure enables the portable electronic device to rotate from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. This dimensional change allows the device to occupy minimal horizontal space on the desk while maintaining stable operation in the vertical position, effectively resolving the contradiction between space occupation and operational stability
4Ease of operation
If the portable electronic device is fixed in horizontal position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the flexibility of positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism transforms the fixed horizontal positioning into a dynamic system that allows rotation between horizontal and vertical orientations. The supporting structure with pivot enables the device to be easily positioned in either orientation according to user needs, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving positioning flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A docking station for a portable electronic device is provided. The docking station includes a main body, a supporting structure and a pivot. The pivot includes a first fixing portion, a second fixing portion and a pivot portion. The first fixing portion is disposed at the supporting structure, the second fixing portion is disposed at the main body. The pivot portion is connected to the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. When the portable electronic device is disposed at the supporting structure, the portable electronic device and the supporting structure can rotate relative to the main body via the pivot. The docking station allows the portable electronic device disposing at the docking station drives the supporting structure to rotate relatively to the main body alone the axis of the pivot to stand in vertical, and then the horizontal space of the portable electronic device is saved.